Tape dispensing device



Oct. 27, 1959 G. w. EMMERT ETAL 2,910,218'

TAPE DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Sept. 22, 1955 A 1111'" IIIIII INVENTOR GEORGE W. EMME T BY LESLIE BARR fl/lm Mm.

' ATTORNEYS United, States Patent TAPE DISPENSING DEVICE George W. Emmert, Winnetka, and Leslie Barr, Morton Grove, lll., assignors to Federal Tool Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application September 22, 1955, Serial No. 535,955 6 Claims. (Cl. 225-26) This invention relates to tape dispensers and more particularly to improvements in tape dispensers of the general type disclosed and claimed in an application of George W. Emrnert and Albert Safianoff, entitled Tape Dispenser, Serial No. 535,954, filed concurrently herewith. Such dispensers are for the purpose of dispensing selective lengths of pressure sensitive adhesive tape of the type having an adhesive coating on one of itssides and a non-adhesive surface on its other side, the tape being dispensed from a roll thereof contained within or rotatably mounted upon the dispenser.

The present dispenser, as well as the dispenser disclosed in the above mentioned application, is characterized by the fact that the tape is withdrawn from it along a line substantially parallel to the axis of the roll of tape, rather than normal thereto as is the case in prior constructions. This has the advantage that the roll of tape may reside in the dispenser in a position parallel to the surface that supports the dispenser. Thus the dispenser may be ofarelativelyflat constructionvand the line of withdrawal of the tape from the dispenser may be sub-' stantiallynormalto the supporting surface, thereby making the construction ideally suited for wall mounting. When a dispenserof this kind ismounted upon a vertical Wall, the. roll of tape, in elfect, may be disposed flat against the wall and the tape may be withdrawn in the most convenient direction, that is to say, in a, path leading directly outwardly with respect to the wall.

gqlnasmuch as pressure sensitive tape-must be withdrawn from a roll thereof in an initial direction leading radially or tangentially from the roll, it necessarily follows that the direction of the travel of the tape must be changed during its coursewithin the dispenser if the tape: is to be withdrawn fromthe dispenser in a path substantially parallel to theaxis of the roll. One way of-making the necessary change in the direction of the path of the tape is shown in the above identified applica tionwherein, among other things, the tape is twisted or turned through 90degr ees while itis passing along a longitudinally straight portion of its path.. While this is a very satisfactory way of accomplishing the desired result, it will readily be appreciated that the twisting of the. tape requires that the longitudinally straight portion of the path, wherein the twisting takes place, must be of substantial length. This, in turn, requires that the size or the .dispenser -be substantially greater than the diameter dimension ofthe roll of tape. An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide in a tape dispenser of the kind characterized above, an improved structure for turning the tape so as to minimize the length of the pathof the tape within the dispenser and thereby provide a dispenser of minimum size relative to thesize of the roll. A further object of the present inyention-is to provide a dispenser of the kind referred to,.wherein the outer dimensions of the dispenser are not materially greater than the dimensions of the roll of tape contained therein. Still another object of the invention is to provide in the dispenser, means by which 2,910,218 Patented Oct. 27, i1 9 9- 2 the tape may be withdrawn therefrom along a line 'substantially parallel to the axis of the roll and relatively closely disposed with respect thereto. Yet another object is to provide a tape dispenser of the character stated having a minimum number of parts, each of which is'of maximum simplicity and easily and inexpensively molded of synthetic organic resin type material or the like- These and other objects and advantages of the. present invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken with the -ac-. companying drawing wherein;

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a dispenser constructed in accordance With-the invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view thereof, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially along the-line 2--2 in Fig. 1, a roll of tape and the path followed by the tape during the dispensing thereof being shown by broken lines; I

Fig. 2a is a fragmentaryplan view, taken substantially along the line 2a-2a on Fig. 2;

Fig. 3 is another front elevational view of the dispenser on an enlarged scale, with a substantial portion of the cover thereof broken away in order to show the relative positions of the roll oftape and a tape guide member within the dispenser; and v Fig.- 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 in Fig. 3 further to show I able fashion upon a vertical supporting wall 14 or the like, the back wall preferably having the configuration best shown in Fig. 3. The forward face of the rear wall 13 has a forwardly projecting cylindrical hub 15 formed integrally thereon upon which the roll of tape 12 is mounted for free rotation about a forwardlyprojecting horizontal axis normal to the .plane of the wall 13. I

The cover portion 11 of the dispenser has a cup-shaped configuration with a peripheral shape corresponding to that of the back wall 13, the rearwardly directed flangelike peripheral edge portions 16 of the cover fitting over the peripheral edges of the back wall in a friction fit so that the cover will be retained upon the back wall in the position shown in Fig. 2. The forward face of the cover has a forwardly and upwardly projecting lip structure formed integrally thereon and designated generally by the number 17. This lip structure comprises two forwardly projecting lateral walls 18 and 19 which are curved so as to merge gracefully with the face of the cover, and a forwardly and upwardly extending web 20 that integrally joins the side walls 18 and 19 and also merges gracefully at its lower end with the face of the cover. The upper extremity of the lip structure 17 is provided with a horizontally disposed block 21 that is integrally formed with the side walls 18 and 19 and with the front web 20, the top of the block being provided with a plain, fiat, hard surface 22 terminating at its forward end in a serrated or toothed tape severing edge 23. The tape severing edge is preferably'indented with respect to the opposite end portions 24 and 25 of the block,

. as best seen in 2a, so that these endmost portions upwardly directed and gracefully curved side walls 18 and 19, and as shown particularly in Fig. 2, the hard surface 22 on the top of the block 21 is located forwardly of the face of the cover 11 and is separated therefrom by an unobstructed space.

Directly rearwardly of the hard surface 22 on the top of the block 21 the cover 11 is provided with a rectangular opening 27, and inwardly of this opening a tape guide member 28 is integrally formed upon the forward face of the rear wall 13. This tape guide member 28 is of'triangula'r shape and is joined with the back wall 13 at oneof the apices of the triangle, as best seen in Fig. 4. In order to conserve material the guide member may be hollow and, many event, the guide member is provided with a rounded first edge surface 29 that extends along a line normal tothe plane of the back wall 13 and substantially parallelto the axis of the roll of tape 12. The guide member is also provided with an angularly disposed rounded rear edge surface 30 that extends forwardly from the rear wall 13 of the casing along a line disposed substantially at 45 degrees with respect both to the plane of the rear wall 13 and to the axis of the roll of tape 12, the respective median lines of the two edges 29 and 30 defining the median plane of the guide member which lies horizontally and parallel to the axis of the roll of tape.

The tape itself may be of any suitable type having a pressure sensitive adhesive coating on one side thereof, with theother side having a plain or uncoated surface, the tape being wound in the roll 12 with its adhesively coated surface facing inwardly. As best seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the tape is led tangentially from the periphery of the roll 12 along a first path 31 parallel to the back wall 13 and toward the guide member 28 which is located directly above the roll. The tape is thereupon led upwardly around the first edge surface 29, with the uncoated side of the tape in sliding contact therewith, and then laterally across the top surface 32 of the guide member, and thence downwardly across the angularly disposed rearwardly directed edge surface 30. The traversal of the tape downwardly and around this latter edge surface of the guide member changes the direction of the tape from one normal to the axis of the roll to one substantially parallel thereto, the tape thereupon being led forwardly of the guide member in a path 33 leading through the opening 27 in the face of the cover 11, across the unobstructed space between the face of the cover and the block 21, and thence over the top of the block, with the adhesive coated side of the tape facing the block.

The tape maybe Withdrawn from the dispenser along thepaths and in the manner just stated simply by pulling forwardly on the loose end 34 of the tape (Fig. 2). When a length of tape of the desired size has been withdrawn, the loose end of the" tape is pulled downwardly, in the manner shown in Fig. 2, across the serrated severing edge 23 on the front of the block 21, thereby cutting the tape. During this severing action. the forwardly projecting end portions 24 and 25 of the block 21 prevent the tape from sliding laterally along the cutting edge 23, and the downward force of the tape causes the adhesively coated underside of the remaining portion of the tape to adhere to the hard surface 22 on the top of the block, thereby retaining the remaining tape in a relatively taut and bridged condition across the unobstructed space between the block 21 and the forward face of the cover. Subsequently, when another length of tape is to be withdrawn, this exposed and bridged length of tape may easily be gripped in the fingers, lifted from its adhesive contact with the top of the block 21, and then pulled forwardly to the desired length, whereupon the newly withdrawn length of tape may besevered in the manner discussed above.

Whentheroll of tape 12 has beenexhausted, a new roll may be installed in the dispensersimply by pulling forwardly on the cover 11 to free the same from the peripheral edges of the rear wall 13, whereupon the new roll of tape may be readily installed upon the hub 15. The loose end of the new roll of tape is fed upwardly around the first edge surface 29 of the tape guide member 28, thence across the top surface 32 of the guide member, and then downwardly around the diagonally disposed side surface 30 and forwardly through the opening 27 in the cover 11 as shown in the drawing. When the end of the tape has been fed through the opening 27 the cover may be reinstalled upon the rear wall 13 of the casing and the dispenser will thereupon be ready for use in the normal manner described above.

It will readily be noted that the two-piece construction of the present dispenser is such that each of its parts may be easily and inexpensively molded of any suitable synthetic organic resin such as polystyrene or the like. It will also be noted that each of the parts is of simple configuration whereby suitable molds by which they may be formed may be manufactured at minimum expense. The dispenser occupies relatively little space and is ideally suited for mounting upon a wall, delivery of the tape from the dispenser being made along a line substantially parallel and located relatively closely adjacent the axis of the roll of tape. This feature, as previously indicated, permits the transverse dimensions of the dispenser to be not materially greater than thediameter of a new or fresh roll of tape, it being understood that the roll 12 shown in the drawing represents a roll from which a considerable amount of tape has been previously withdrawn.

The foregoing description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be implied therefrom, for'it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous variations may be made in the present dispenser without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim: g V

1. A tape dispensing device for holding a roll of tape and for permitting the tape to be manually withdrawn from the device in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the roll, comprising means for mounting the roll for rotation, and a stationary tape guide member of substantially triangular configuration located radially of the periphery of the roll, said triangular tape guide memher having one edge disposed substantially parallel to the axis of the roll and another edge disposed at substantially a 45 angle with respect to the axis ofthe roll, said guide member being located with respect to the roll' so that the tape may be threaded tangentially from the roll, across said first mentioned edge and then across said second mentioned edge, thereby to direct said tape in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the roll.

2. A dispensing device'for pressure sensitive adhesive tape of the type having an adhesive coating on one of its sides and a non-adhesive surface on its other side comprising, a casing including an upstanding rear wall and a removable cover providing a forward side for said casing, means for rotatably supporting a roll of said tape within said casing about a forwardly directed axis substantially normal to the plane of said wall, a forwardly projecting element on said cover providing a hard substantially planar surface substantially parallel to the axis of said roll and disposed forwardly of said cover with an unobstructed space thcrebetween, said cover having an aperture therein opposite said hard surface, a tape cutting edge at the forward extremity of said hard surface, a stationary tape guide member in said casing disposed intermediate said rear wall and said aperture in said cover, said tape guide member being located radially of the periphery of said roll and having a longitudinally straight rear edge surface thereon extending along a line substantially parallel to the plane of said hard surface and substantially at a 45 angle with respect to'the axis of said roll of tape, said tape-being adapted to be withdrawn under tension from the periphery of said roll in a path first leading within said casing substantially parallel to said rear wall to said guide member, then about said guide member with the non-adhesive surface of said tape sliding over said rear edge surface of said guide member to turn said tape from a path substantially normal to said 'axis to a forwardly directed path substantially parallel to said axis, and then forwardly from said guide member along said forwardly directed path through said aperture and above said hard surface with the adhesive coated side of said tape directed toward said hard surface, said hard surface being so positioned that said coated side of said tape will detachably adhere thereto when the withdrawn length of tape is moved into severing contact with said cutting edge, the adherence of said coated side of said tape to said hard surface serving to maintain a portion of said tape in a bridged condition across said unobstructed space where the bridged portion of said tape may easily be grasped in the fingers when another length of tape is to be withdrawn from said roll.

3. A dispensing device for pressure sensitive adhesive tape of the type having an adhesive coating on one of its sides and a non-adhesive surface on its other side com prising, a casing including an upstanding rear wall and a removable 'cover providing a forward side for said casing, means for rotatably supporting a roll of said tape within said casing about a forwardly directed axis substantially normal to the plane of said wall, a forwardly projecting element formed on the forward side of said cover and integral therewith and providing a hard substantially planar surface substantially parallel to the axis of said roll and disposed forwardly of said cover with an unobstructed space therebetween, said cover having anaperture therein opposite said hard surface, a tape cutting edge at the forward extremity of said hard surface, a stationary tape guide member in said casing formed on the forward side of said rear wall and integrally therewith and disposed intermediate said rear wall and said aperture in said cover, said tape guide member being located radially of the periphery of said roll and having a longitudinally straight rear edge surface thereon extending along a line substantially parallel to the plane of said hard surface and at an acute angle with respect to the axis of said roll, said tape being adapted to be withdrawn under tension from the periphery of said roll in a path first leading within said casing substantially parallel to said rear wall to said guide member, then about said guide member with the non-adhesive side of said tape sliding over said rear edge surface of said guide member, and then forwardly from said guide member through said aperture and in a path leading above said hard surface with the adhesive coated side of said tape directed toward said hard surface, said hard surface being so positioned that said coated side of said tape will detachably adhere thereto when the withdrawn length of tape is moved into severing contact with said cutting edge, the adherence of .said casing, means for rotatably supporting a roll of said tape within said casing about a forwardly directed axis substantially normal to the plane of said wall, a forwardly projecting element on said cover providing a hard substantially planar surface substantially parallel to the axis of said roll and disposed forwardly of said cover with an unobstructed space therebetween, said cover having an aperture therein opposite said hard surface, a tape cutting edge at the forward extremity of said hard surface, a stationary tape guide member in said casing disposed intermediate said rear wall and said aperture in said cover, said tape guide member being located above said roll and radially of the periphery thereof and having a longitudinally straight rear edge surface thereon extending along a line substantially parallel to the plane of said hard surface and at an acute angle with respect to the axis of said roll, said tape guide member also'having a second edge thereon extending substantially parallel to the axis of said roll, said tape being adapted to be withdrawn under tension from the periphery of said roll in a path first leading within said casing substantially parallel to said rear wall to said second edge of said tape guide member, thence slidably around said second edge and across the top of said guide member to said rear edge surface thereof, then slidably over said rear edge surface with the non-adhesive side of said tape sliding over said second edge and said rear edge surface, and then forwardly from said guide member through said aperture and in a path leading above said hard surface with the adhesive coated side of said tape directed toward said hard surface, said hard surface being so positioned that said coated side of said tape will'detachably adhere thereto when the withdrawn length of tape is moved into servering contact with said cutting edge, the adherence of said coated side of said tape to saidhardsurface serving to maintain a portion of said tape in a bridged condition across said unobstructed space where the bridged portion of said tape may easily be grasped in the fingers when another length of tape is to be withdrawn from said roll.

5. A dispensing devicefor pressure sensitive adhesive tape of the type having an adhesive coating on one of its sides and a non-adhesive surface on its other side comprising, a casing including an upstanding rear wall and a removable cover providing a forward side for said casing, means for rotatably supporting a roll of said tape within said casing about a forwardly directed axis substantially normal to the plane of said well, a forwardly projecting element on said cover providing a hard substantially planar surface substantially parallel to the axis of said roll and disposed forwardly of said cover with an unobstructed space therebetween, said cover having an aperture therein opposite said hard surface, a tape cutting edge at the forward extremity of said hard surface, a stationary tape guide member in said casing disposed intermediate said rear wall and said aperture in said cover, said tape guide member being located radially of the periphery of said roll and having a longitudinally straight rear edge surface thereon extending along a line substantially parallel to the plane of said hard surface and at an acute angle with respect to the axis of said roll, said tape being adapted to be withdrawn under tension from the periphery of said roll in a path first leading within said casing substantially parallel to said rear wall to said guide member, then about said guide member with the non-adhesive side of said tape sliding over said rear edge surface of said guide member, and then forwardly fromsaid guide member through said aperture and in a path leading above said hard surface with the adhesive coated side of said tape directed toward said hard surface, said hard surface being so positioned that said coated side of said tape will detachably adhere thereto whenthe withdrawn length of tape is moved into severing contact with said cutting edge, the adherence of said coated side of said tape to said hard surface serving to maintain a portion of said tape in a bridged condition across said unobstructed space where the bridged portion of said tape may easily be grapsed in the fingers when another length of tape is to be withdrawn from said roll, said rear edge surface of said tape guide member extending along a line substantially at a 45 angle with respect to the axis of said roll, said guide member being also provided with a second edge surface extending substantially parallel to said axis of said roll, said second edge surface receiving said tape from said roll and directing said tape across said guide member to said rear edge surface, whereupon said rear edge surface directs said tape forwardly through said aperture and in said path leading above said hard surface.

6. A dispensing device for pressure sensitive adhesive tape of the type having an adhesive coating on one of its sides and a non-adhesive surface on its other side comprising, a casing including an upstanding rear wall and a removable cover providing a forward side for said casing, means for rotatably supporting a roll of said tape said casing about a forwardly directed axis substantiallynorm'al to the plane of said wall, a forwardly projecting element on said cover providing a hard substantially planar'sui'face substantially parallel to the axis of said roll and disposed forwardly of said cover with an unobstructed space therebetween, said cover having an aperture therein opposite said hard surface, a tape cutting edge at the forward extremity of said hard surface, a stationary tape guide member in said casing disposed intermediate said rear wall and said aperture in. said cover, said tape guide member being located radially of the periphery of said roll and having a. longitudinally straight rear edge surface thereon extending along a line substantially parallel to the plane of said hard surface and at. an acute angle with respect to the axis of said roll, said tape being adapted to be withdrawn under tension from the periphery of said roll in a path first leading within said casing substantially parallel to said rear wall to said guide member, thanv about said guide member with the non-adhesive side of said tape sliding over said rear edge surface of said guide member, and then forwardly from said guide member through said aperture and in a path leading above said hard surface with the adhesive coated side of said tape directed toward said hard. surface, said hard surface being so positioned that said coated side of said tape will detachably adhere thereto when the withdrawn length of tape is moved into servering contact with said cutting edge, the adherence of said coated side ofsaid tape to said hard surface serving to maintain a portion of said tape in a bridged condition across said unobstructed space where the bridged portion of said tape may easily be grasped in the fingers when another length of tape is to be withdrawn from said roll, said tape guide member being an element of generally triangular configuration projecting forwardly from said upstanding rear wall, said rear edge surface of said guide member extending along a line at substantially a angle with respect tothe axis of said roll, said guide member having another edge surface extending substantially parallel to the axis of said roll, said last mentioned edge surface being adapted to receive said tape from said roll and direct the same across said guide member to said rear edge surface, whereupon said rear edge surface directs said tape forwardly through said aperture.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Sweden Dec. 18, 1906 

